11/13: Clinton Leads Sanders by 22 Points among Democrats Nationally

In the race for the Democratic nomination for president, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leads Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, 57% to 35%, among Democrats and Democratic leaning independents nationally. Former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley receives just 4% from the Democratic electorate.

While Clinton is ahead of Sanders among most key demographic groups, Sanders leads Clinton among Democratic leaning independents and Democrats under 30 years old.

Democrats and Democratic leaning independents are not suffering fatigue from hearing about Clinton or Sanders. More than six in ten, 63%, say the more they hear about Clinton the more they like her. A similar 62% report the more information they receive about Sanders, the more they like him.

What do Democrats value in their party’s nominee? Half of Democrats and Democratic leaning independents, up slightly from 46% in August, think it is more important that the nominee move the nation in a new direction rather than continuing the policies of President Barack Obama, 46%.

“On the eve of the next Democratic debate, both Clinton and Sanders have plenty to accomplish,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “Clinton wants to build upon the momentum she’s had over the last several weeks. Sanders is looking to broaden his support beyond the people he is popular with currently.”

While Clinton is ahead of Sanders among Democrats, 65% to 28%, Sanders leads Clinton, 50% to 38%, among Democratic leaning independents.

81% of African American Democrats are for Clinton compared with only 13% for Sanders. Clinton also has the backing of a majority of Latino voters, 54%, to 36% for Sanders. Among whites, 50% are for Hillary while 41% support Sanders.

Sanders, 58%, leads Clinton, 35%, among Democrats and Democratic leaning independents under 30 years old. Clinton is competitive against Sanders, 50% to 45%, among those 30 to 44 years old. However, Clinton leads Sanders among older Democrats. She receives 64% to 26% for Sanders among Democrats 45 to 59. And, among those 60 and older, Clinton, 69%, leads Sanders, 21%, by more than three to one.

Among both men and women, Clinton is out in front. But, women, 62%, are more likely than men, 50%, to support her.

63% of Democrats and Democratic leaning independents report the more they hear about Clinton, the more they like her. 31% say they like her less after learning more about her.

62% like Sanders more after receiving additional information about him. 25% say they like him less.

Half of Democrats and Democratic leaning independents, 50%, report it is more important that the Democratic nominee move the nation in a different direction. 46% want the nominee to continue Obama’s policies. When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question in August, Democrats divided. 46% wanted their party’s nominee to change course while 45% wanted the nominee to further Obama’s initiatives.

62% of Democratic leaning independents, up from 56% during the summer, want the nominee to move the nation in a new direction. 46% of those who identify as liberal or very liberal, up from 37%, also have this view.